Well this will be my first post mentioning Hernando since the summer, but let’s jump in. Hernandez isn’t really the kind of player you replace because he was so unique. The absolutely needed to find a quality slot receiver to replace Welker so that’s a little bit different with Amendola.
Not so sure about a trade, but I would never rule anything out in terms of who they might bring in at receiver next offseason. Now if Dobson continues to develop as he has the last couple games, I don’t think they necessarily need a X-receiver, so that takes a big need off the board.
But I do think they’ll monitor Thompkins/Edelman/Boyce to potentially upgrade the third WR spot. Amendola and Dobson seem like a good place to start.
I do think they’ll be in the market for a “move” tight end to do some of what Hernandez did and compliment Gronkowski.
But I think the Pats have always had a “win now” attitude regardless of Brady. That doesn’t mean they’ll mortgage the future on a player just to make Brady happy. Who knows, that guy could get hurt or not click and then they’re in a major hole.
Everyone loves splashy free agent moves but the Pats haven’t made one of those in a while and it’s all worked out pretty well thus far.
If they drop some big free agency money I’d expect it to be on Talib and a defensive tackle, maybe a guard. But after that I don’t see glaring long-term needs so they can just keep building through the draft.